Kevin Bacon Gives Props to First-Time Director Alison Eastwood

Alison Eastwood's directorial debut came off without meddling from her famous dad – and with some praise from seasoned actor Kevin Bacon.

"He's been very supportive, but from afar," Eastwood, 35, said of her father, Clint Eastwood. "I looked to the crew and the cast for advice. They were extremely supportive and wanted to see me do well. He basically just told me to surround myself with good people."

Good people? Eastwood managed to get some of the best. Her film, Rails and Ties, stars Marcia Gay Harden, the young Miles Heizer and Kevin Bacon, who tells PEOPLE he has worked with about ten first-time directors.

"She was incredibly well prepared and very passionate about the movie and the story she wanted to tell," Bacon said. "She was great with the direction she gave me. It was very helpful."–Kimberly Lansing